Top 10 Dores Ready for Lone Star Showdown

In a highly anticipated matchup, No. 10/8 Vanderbilt will face Texas on Wednesday, January 14, at the Moody Center in Austin, Texas. The game is set to tip off at 8 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN2, with Lowell Galindo and King McClure providing commentary. This game is significant for Vanderbilt as they enter as a top 10 team for the first time since the 2011-2012 season.

Vanderbilt’s Impressive Rankings

Vanderbilt has earned a spot in the top 10, currently ranked No. 10 in the AP Poll and No. 8 in the Coaches Poll. This marks their highest ranking since finishing the 1992-93 season at No. 8. Additionally, the Commodores are listed seventh in the NCAA NET rankings prior to their game against Texas.

Star Player: Tyler Tanner

Sophomore Tyler Tanner has been in outstanding form, recently named the SEC Player of the Week. He averaged 24.5 points, 5 assists, and 3.5 steals last week. Notably, Tanner scored a career-high 29 points against Alabama, becoming the first player since Trae Young in 2018 to achieve impressive stats in an AP top 15 matchup.

Undefeated Seasons for Both Teams

Vanderbilt’s success isn’t limited to the men’s team. As of the 2025-26 season, both the men’s and women’s teams are undefeated, making them the only school in the nation with this distinction. Coupled with a historic season for the football team, Vanderbilt’s three major athletic programs boast an impressive combined record of 43-3.

Game Control and Performance Statistics

• Vanderbilt has played 645 minutes of basketball this season.
• The Commodores have trailed for only 22 minutes, which is a mere 3.5% of their total game time.
• They have secured wire-to-wire victories in seven games and trailed for less than a minute in three others.
• The team has only faced a second-half deficit in two games this season, totaling less than 10 minutes.
• The largest deficit faced by Vanderbilt this season has been 5 points.

Key Players and Milestones

Another standout player, senior Tyler Nickel, achieved his first career double-double against LSU, posting 19 points and 10 rebounds. Nickel contributed significantly to the game with four first-half three-pointers, helping the team score 52 points in the first half, the most in an SEC game under coach Mark Byington.

Series History Against Texas

Vanderbilt’s upcoming game with Texas is notable in terms of history. The all-time series is currently tied at 5-5. However, Vanderbilt has struggled in Austin, with an 0-2 record in previous matchups in 2013 and 2016. When the Commodores score over 75 points, they have historically maintained an undefeated record against the Longhorns.

The upcoming clash promises an exciting showdown as Vanderbilt seeks to solidify its top 10 status against a formidable Texas squad.